The Lost Storm Photo by Stuart McCormick
A YEAR after they set their sights on exciting pacer The Lost Storm, the Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock team have landed their horse.
In a remarkable twist, TAB swept in and snared The Lost Storm ahead of the Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock team last year, but they eventually had the last laugh by winning the world's richest harness race with their "back-up" runner, star mare Encipher.
Encipher was the last runner into last year's race and the third option Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock explored after The Lost Storm and Cobber.
The Lost Storm ran below his best and could only manage seventh place for TAB, while Cobber was sidelined with an injury before the race.
Many expected TAB to partner with The Lost Storm again this year, but Aaron Bain confirmed he and his partners had locked in a deal.
"It's great to lock down such a top prospect so early," Bain said.
"Sure, it would have been good to see him win more easily the other (Saturday) night, but you just trust Emma (Stewart) and Clayton (Tonkin) to have him spot on when it matters."
"And that's what it's about for us, further cementing the relationship in the TAB Eureka, and all slot races for that matter, between Aaron Bain Racing, Summit Bloodstock and Emma and Clayton's stable."
"They're such a big part of what we do, and partnering with them as often as possible is our way forward."
"It worked last year when they pushed so strongly for us to take Encipher, and we're thrilled to be teaming with them again. We've got 100 per cent faith in them when it comes to these big races."
The Lost Storm's owner-breeder Justin Baker said he was thrilled to secure an early slot.
"We wanted to get a deal done, and the guys (Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock) turned it around really quickly for us," he said.
"They are great supporters of the stable (Stewart and Tonkin) and were the underbidders, so to speak, last year, so it feels right. It was a really easy decision."
Baker said The Lost Storm would take plenty from his narrow first-up win at Melton last Saturday night.
"We were all a bit nervous because he hadn't trialled, but he fought it out and got the job done," he said.
"You'll see a lot more of him racing now. Emma and Clayton want to follow the formula that worked with Encipher last year and really condition for a strong 2300m at Menangle.
"He'll go around in at least a couple more free-for-alls at Melton before we have a go at the Rising Sun in Queensland and another run or two up there as well."
"Then we'll keep the racing right up to him before the Eureka."
Stewart and Tonkin are hoping to have as many as three runners in this year's TAB Eureka with last season's Victoria Derby winner Petracca front-runner for the Team Zav slot held by his owners, Danny and Jo Zavitsanos, while the untapped High Above is commanding interest as well.
The Lost Storm is the fourth confirmed slot runner in the 10-horse TAB Eureka field for the September 7 race at Club Menangle. The others are: Never Ending (in the Soho Bloodstock slot); Captains Knock (Cordina Racing) and Extreme Sea (Wayne Loader).
The Lost Storm is $9 in latest TAB markets where Frankie Ferocious and Extreme Sea share favouritism at $3.50.
